In a bold move, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he is revoking Joe Biden’s security clearance, cutting off his access to classified information.
“There is no need for Joe Biden to continue receiving access to classified information,” Trump stated on Truth Social. He confirmed that his administration would end Biden’s security clearance along with daily intelligence briefings. Signing off with his signature phrase, Trump added, “Joe, you’re fired.”
Trump Cites Biden’s 2021 Decision as Precedent
Trump justified the decision by pointing to Biden’s actions in 2021 when he barred Trump from receiving intelligence updates after leaving office. At the time, Biden had expressed concerns over Trump’s handling of sensitive information, citing his “erratic behavior.”
“Biden set this precedent in 2021 when he instructed the Intelligence Community to stop the 45th President of the United States—me—from accessing national security details, a courtesy traditionally extended to former presidents,” Trump wrote.
Biden Yet to Respond
Joe Biden, who recently left office, has not yet issued a statement on Trump’s decision.
During his presidency, Biden had openly questioned the necessity of granting Trump access to intelligence briefings, telling CBS in 2021, “What value is giving him an intelligence briefing? What impact does he have at all, other than the fact he might slip and say something?”
Trump’s move signals a continuation of their long-standing political rivalry, further escalating tensions between the two leaders.